We are acknowledging the importance of Black History Month (1-31 October), the annual celebration of the history, achievements, and contributions of black people in the UK.
As the month comes to a close, we're recognising how black people have helped shape our history, and reflecting on how housing associations across the UK are supporting black customers.
As we recognise this important month, we spoke to one of our customers to find out more about her thoughts on it and discover her story.
Our customer, Huda Ismail, has lived in her flat in Bristol for 14 years. As an African Somali, she moved to live in London and came to the UK as a refugee when she was only eight years old and started primary school here. She completed secondary school before moving to Bristol.
The 41-year-old now has five children and works as a support worker with disabled adults. She enjoys the multicultural diversity the city offers her as well as seeing different ethnicity groups move into the area to make it a place, she enjoys being in.
Here is Huda’s story.
“When you remember your life in London when you were younger and then moving to Bristol, it’s quite different. But as it’s 2022 I think Bristol is getting more friendlier than it was, it’s more accepting than it was 20 years ago.
“When you’re in London, you see every race all the time. You see everyone from all over the world and everyone mixes, everyone is friends. But when I moved here, everyone hangs around with their own – with similar backgrounds.
“I like to have a mixed group of friends that’s just the way I am, and Bristol was very standoffish, the personas of people was as well but when they get to know you, they become more open. But now I think the city has changed a lot. Even this year, I've noticed I think there's more students from different backgrounds coming to the city as well. And I love it.
“I just feel with different people walking around that's my favourite thing, Bristol is becoming more diverse that way. Even in this building, all different backgrounds of people live in the block. And a lot of people that live here actually have been living here, I would say maybe half the block have lived 15 years.
“With Black History Month, I think there is too much emphasis on slavery. Do you think every black person is a descendant of slaves? Most people would say yes, but that isn’t true. Three or four countries in Africa are affected by that - it’s a personal thing. Individuals should peruse it if they want to know more.
“It should be more about inventors as I feel there is not much else being taught. It should be celebrating peoples’ backgrounds and not just black people, but cultures celebrated like the history of humans or human celebration that would be interesting. It’s a given that there are lots of different groups so it shouldn’t just be about one group of people.
“When I first moved in, my neighbour was very nice and showed me around, but it was very quiet, and you never really saw anyone who lived here. But as the years have gone on, I think now it’s more like a community.
“We’re all from different backgrounds in this block of flats as well which is really nice. When we did have issues and residents got together and approached LiveWest they did deal with us as a group rather than as individuals. I think they do listen to us as residents of this block of flats, they understood that we communicate and share if there are any issues and try to find the best solution.
“At the time, there was a large Caribbean community here and there was lots of change with new people coming in with different backgrounds. It’s not like it used to be anymore, it’s changed thank goodness. Everyone is really friendly and there is a nice community vibe.
“The change really happened with the people first. That was up to the neighbours and people that lived around here. The area is getting better now. I still feel like it's taken too long. When you compare it with other cities around the UK, I feel like it’s having a bit of a fast forward even the past couple of years the street doesn't look the same. And I love it.”